The 1st China Weiqi Competition was held in Ejin Horo Banner, Ordos on Aug 8, attracting a total of 28 professional teams from 25 provinces, as well as over 3,000 amateur competitors.

The 11-day event involved various weiqi games, including robot challenges and contests especially for children. 

Weiqi, known as “Go” in Western countries, is a game played with black and white pieces on a board of 361 crosses. Originating in ancient China, weiqi has been popular among countries in East Asia over the past few centuries.

The event was hosted by the Chess Sports Administration Center of the General Administration of Sport, Chinese Weiqi Association, Inner Mongolia Sports Bureau, and Ordos people’s government and sports department.

The organizers invited Nie Weiping as a guest to assist the competitors. Nie, born in Hebei province in 1952, was recognized as a “master of chess” in 1988 and was one of the top 10 outstanding Chinese chess players in 1999.

A professional plays weiqi with several children during the 1st China Weiqi Competition held in Ejin Horo Banner, Ordos, Inner Mongolia autonomous region on Aug 11, 2017. [Photo/nmgnews.com.cn]